Want to start repaying ex - Girlfriend; Postal Orders?

SimIsOnTheUp

Hi,

I owe my ex - Girlfriend just over £2K, and I want to start repaying her.

It's going to be a small payment each month to start with, until I'm in a better position where I can pay her more.

As I no longer have a cheque book, I was considering repaying her by either a Standing Order or by Postal Order.

However, as I'd rather not get into sharing each other's bank details, I'm thinking of going for a Postal Order and sending one to her each month.

What are the fees (if any) like for Postal Orders these days? I've used them a couple of times many years ago, but can't remember and am wondering if they've changed things since then.

Also, is there any way of checking online, to confirm that the PO has been cashed?

Thanks - Sim.

theoretica

You might also want to compare with the paypal fees - I think this is free if you have a bank account linked to your paypal account.

lvm

As far as I know with Paypal it would be free for Sim to send the money but there would be a charge to the person receiving it (around 2.4% +20p or something like that).

Sim - is it your bank details you are worried about giving or do you not think the ex would give you hers? If you set up a standing order, she would never see your bank details so you'd be fine on that count. Would save on the postage stamps as well.

Sorry I don't know if postal orders have fees or not as I've never used them. You might find some info on Post Office website (if that's where you get them...I'm clueless!)

SimIsOnTheUp

theoretica wrote: »

You might also want to compare with the paypal fees - I think this is free if you have a bank account linked to your paypal account.

Hi,

Thanks, but I'd rather avoid PayPal.

They've been a nightmare to deal with in the past (freezing my account for no reason, for three weeks etc).

They'd also charge my ex for receiving the money, which would create more unwelcome grief!

Cheers - Sim.

SimIsOnTheUp

lvm wrote: »

As far as I know with Paypal it would be free for Sim to send the money but there would be a charge to the person receiving it (around 2.4% +20p or something like that).

Sim - is it your bank details you are worried about giving or do you not think the ex would give you hers? If you set up a standing order, she would never see your bank details so you'd be fine on that count. Would save on the postage stamps as well.

Sorry I don't know if postal orders have fees or not as I've never used them. You might find some info on Post Office website (if that's where you get them...I'm clueless!)

Hi,

It's a bit of both! Am trying to keep contact with her to the bare minimum, send her some dosh, and (try to) keep emotions out of it. If I ask her for her bank details, she will possibly be awkward.

I didn't realise that with a Standing Order, that my a/c details are kept private. That is great to know, thanks.

I need to make a decision this week, but am torn between a SO and a Postal Order.

Am looking on the Post Office site as we speak!

Cheers - Sim.

MattSS

You should only need an account number and sort code from your ex in order to set up a standing order to her bank account. As someone's said she won't need yours. It will be fee-free and I don't know that there's anything else you could use that information for.

Surely she'll just be happy that you're paying her back? If she's uppity about giving you the information try and swing her round by saying there are no fees this way and so you can afford to pay her back a little more each month and thus pay her back in full more quickly....??

SimIsOnTheUp

MattSS wrote: »

You should only need an account number and sort code from your ex in order to set up a standing order to her bank account. As someone's said she won't need yours. It will be fee-free and I don't know that there's anything else you could use that information for.

Surely she'll just be happy that you're paying her back? If she's uppity about giving you the information try and swing her round by saying there are no fees this way and so you can afford to pay her back a little more each month and thus pay her back in full more quickly....??

Thanks Matt.

I'll email her tomorrow, and ask for her details, so I can get the SO set up.

I was creating problems that haven't cropped up. So will cross that bridge if / when I come to it!

Cheers - Sim.

Pollycat

It will cost you to pay her by postal order.

Prices

Purchase value per order

Fee payable
£0 - £4.99
50p

£5 - £9.99

£1.00

£10 - to maximum value of £250

12.5% of the face value

Fees capped at £10.00

So if you owe her £2K and intend paying by postal order of say, £20 per month, it will cost you £22.50 each time and by the end of the debt it will have cost you £2250.00 - plus the cost of sending the postal order (as you say you want to limit contact I'm assuming that you won't be handing it over to her).

There is also the possibilty that the letter may go missing.

Additionally, I'm not sure if there is any trace on a postal order should you ever need to prove that you've paid the debt.

SimIsOnTheUp

Pollycat wrote: »

It will cost you to pay her by postal order.

Prices

Purchase value per order

Fee payable
£0 - £4.99
50p

£5 - £9.99

£1.00

£10 - to maximum value of £250

12.5% of the face value

Fees capped at £10.00

So if you owe her £2K and intend paying by postal order of say, £20 per month, it will cost you £22.50 each time and by the end of the debt it will have cost you £2250.00 - plus the cost of sending the postal order (as you say you want to limit contact I'm assuming that you won't be handing it over to her).

There is also the possibilty that the letter may go missing.

Additionally, I'm not sure if there is any trace on a postal order should you ever need to prove that you've paid the debt.

Hi,

That's a big help. Thanks

Standing Order it is then!

Cheers - Sim.

lauren79

If she's concerned about giving you her current account bank details, how about suggesting she sets up an account just for you to pay into?